Wesley Newell pleads guilty to dealing cocaine and MDMA

A bodybuilder and former prison officer dubbed the “Armaguard Hulk” who stole the show at the 2016 Brownlow Medal has been unmasked as a cocaine dealer.

Pro bodybuilder Wesley Newell has been nabbed trafficking cocaine and MDMA out of his Richmond home. Picture: Instagram

A former bodybuilder dubbed the “Armaguard Hulk” whose buff looks captured the spotlight at the Brownlow Medal count has been nabbed peddling cocaine and MDMA out of his Richmond home.

Wesley Newell pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to trafficking cocaine and MDMA out of his Richmond home.

Newell, who was dubbed “Mr Brownlow” and the “Armaguard Hulk” after footage of him delivering the votes in a suitcase to the gala footy event went viral in 2016, was nabbed by police on December 14, 2023.

The matter was listed for a committal hearing where two witnesses were to be called to give evidence, but after a few hours the matter had been resolved and it was announced that he would be pleading guilty.

This was not Newell’s first brush with the law after he narrowly avoided jail in 2021 when he was caught smuggling contraband into Ravenhall Correctional Centre during his time as a prison guard.

The muscular figure made full admissions to bringing 26 100g packets of tobacco, an ice pipe and bodybuilding magazines into the western Melbourne jail.

Newell was paid $11,200 for smuggling in the items after becoming a correctional officer in 2018.

It was not Newell’s first brush with the law, after he was nabbed bringing contraband into Ravenhall Correctional Centre in 2021. Picture: Instagram

Newell stole the show at the Brownlows while delivering the Armaguard suitcase of votes, with viewers more interested in the size of his biceps than the frocks and suits.

Channel 9 reporter Tom Steinfort tweeted: “Forget the WAGs, no one has done more “preparation” for tonight’s Brownlow than the security guard protecting the votes #gunshow”.

Forget the WAGs, no one has done more "preparation" for tonight's Brownlow than the security guard protecting the votes #gunshow pic.twitter.com/cGBQ8uh8Kj

— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) September 26, 2016

The former Ravenhall prison guard will have to report to the Richmond police station three times a week as part of his bail conditions.

The court heard Newell had failed to report while on bail a number of times but the prosecution did not submit an application to revoke bail.

He also has a curfew between 11pm and 6am every day.

Newell, who was dressed in a black suit, will face the County Court on August 28.